Thankful At Thanksgiving

Jim continues to do pretty good most days. He has had several more days where he has having to take several naps to get through the day. He gets so gray especially around his eyes. I know he is so tired and that his circulation is bad. We had to call the doctor again today because of dizzy spells, shortness of breath and increased fatigue. We are praying that God will give us more time.

We had a great Thanksgiving. At the congregation we attend, Ironaton church of Christ, we fix food plates for those that are shut-in, those in nursing homes, those that have fallen on hard times. We buy food from Cracker Barrel. You know that stuff is good. Jim wasn’t able to help this year. He was just too tired. Julianna and I went and helped to fix over 200 plates. It was AWESOME! Then we went to Jim’s parents home. We got to eat with them and his sister and her daughter. It was so good. Then later we went to see Bo Foster, a friend that we made about 3 months ago when we were in the hospital. He has been waiting on a heart transplant for over 6 months. He got a heart on Tuesday and we couldn’t wait to see how the family was doing. We are so excited for him. We have been praying for it for a long time now.

Julianna is half through the 5^th grade. She is so beautiful. She is starting to have some growing pains. I think she is honestly trying to be a teenager and a child all at the same time. I guess it is that awkward time where you are still young enough to play and run around but old enough to look like a teenager. She will be turning 11 soon. I pray to be as understanding and as consistent as possible. She is looking forward to basketball season. I can’t wait to see how the team turns out. Hope she gets to enjoy herself and learn a lot in the process.

Cameron is doing pretty good in school. He has started coming out of his shell. He is speaking up more and is participating in class. He asked me today, that if he was good all year in school could he have this snow globe Christmas ornament at the end of the year. I was like…really? He is so easy to please. He loves rocks, sticks, anything unusual…like a mattress pad…bubble wrap. He is my sweet little cuddly man.

I can’t believe the semester is almost over for me. I have 2 more weeks of classes and then finals. I have only gotten to know a few of the students really well this time. Unfortunately, so many have had health problems, family problems, or other things hindering them from class. I really hope that Jim is able to get a heart before the year is over with. I will have plenty of time to spend with him. Money is tight and we need every penny we can get. So I hope to work at CACC as long as possible. I know my number one job behind being the best Christian I can be is to take care and support my Jim. I love him and want to help him. It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. Waves of emotions come and go in minutes, or throughout the day. I pray that God will help me to have the best attitude and to know that He can see how things are going to work out. I know God is so good to me and my family. I just want to bring glory to God in my attitude and actions, in private and in the public.

We deeply appreciate the numerous individuals who have made recent donations to our medical fund. We would also like to thank the Waco church of Christ for their generous donation and continuous support. We are always getting cards from the Waco and Glencoe churches of Christ and from Ken and Billie Sue Butterworth. It is a beam of sunshine when we get those cards. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. That is by far the BEST thing you can do for us. Remember our children. They need your prayers and support as well. Thank you all so much. May God bless each one of you that faithfully server Him. Your service is such an encouragement to us. Keep on fighting the good fight.

*********************BE A HERO…BE A DONOR, SAVE JIM*********************

In Home Health Care

I can’t believe it is already November. Where has this year gone? Jim has been declining ever so slowly but surely each week. He has begun retaining more fluid. He can gain anywhere from a pound a day to 4 lbs. It is mainly showing up in his abdomen and face, but even his tiny bird ankles have started to swell. He has been requiring more rest and has been out of breath more. The nurse, Michelle, has brought a machine that can track his oxygen level, blood pressure, heart rate and weight. This can give the nursing staff early warning signs that something is going on. He has to increase his medication that he receives through his picc line and they have put him on some meds to reduce fluid retention. If you are walking and talking with him, he is liable to get quiet because he can’t catch his breath while he is walking and talking. Even when he moves positions, it takes his breath away. Last Friday, we had to call UAB, because he came so close to blacking out. I saw him staggering and told him to sit down. I call the docs immediately. They thought he might have been dehydrated but he has had an increase in his dizzy spells. Despite all that, he has pressed himself to help a congregation up the road that is without a preacher. The preacher has cancer, and is not doing well. Jim has agreed to help them temporarily. I honestly don’t know how he does it. He is so drained and so weak but he gets up there and he is so beautiful when he is preaching. I have honestly tried to discourage him from doing it. I am scared he will overdo it. I pray that I will let him live his life and continue to do what he loves. What if he doesn’t get a heart, what if it is months from now? I should be ashamed for discouraging him. I am only human. I love him and want him well and with me as long as possible.